C25 is a Great River Sailer!
David - I owned a 1978 C-25 with a swing keel in Washington, DC and sailed it on the Potomac River. She was my 3rd boat -- a move up from an O'Day 17' daysailer -- and I really enjoyed her. I found her very easy to single-hand -- even having to move forward to the mast to raise/lower sails -- and very forgiving my novice mistakes. The swing keel was particularly good for when I got in too shallow water in the river, which sounds similar to some of the sailing you're considering farther south. All in all I have nothing but great things to say about her, and I'd still have her except the expense of moving her from D.C. to Long Beach was too much -- money better put into a newer and larger boat, my Catalina 30. The 25 was huge inside for it's length -- a factor of the larger beam than some other boats of comparable size. We overnighted on her on several occasions and never felt cramped. A great boat for singlehanding or a couple on weekend cruises, or daysailing with 2-3 friends. My only question to you would be regarding your interest in a "trailerable" boat. Yes, the 25' can be trailered; her beam is just below the maximum allowed without special permits. But I think it would be a real chore to raise/lower the mast every time you went sailing. If you're thinking of that type of "trailerable" which basically means daysailing I might think about something more managable (like my old O'Day Daysailer or one of the smaller Catalinas). On the other hand if you want something you can pull out at the end of the season and store in your yard, but otherwise slip during the sailing season, the 25 would probably be about the biggest boat you could do that with. All in all if I go back to the type of sailing you're describing sometime in the future the 25 would be high on my list. Good luck! Mike Turner S/V Amity Long Beach, CA
